The New York Mets' team colours were drowned out by the abundance of red, white and blue at the city's first major sporting event since the World Trade Center attacks.

It was the moment New Yorkers came out to play again.

Ten days after the city was rocked to its core, 40,000 baseball fans got to their feet and joined Liza Minnelli in a rousing rendition of New York, New York.

The players wore police and fire department caps

As they belted this Broadway anthem, thousands of the paper stars and stripes flags that had been handed out at the turnstiles waved in the muggy night air.

"If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere," sang the Oscar-winning star as a huddle of representatives from New York's emergency services step-danced behind her.

"We'll get through - New York, New York."

All night the atmosphere at Shea Stadium had been electric, for this, the first major sporting event in New York since the devastating attack on the World Trade Center.

But it took until the middle of the seventh innings, when Minnelli stepped on to the field to perform, for that electrical charge to markedly switch from a sense of hesitant enjoyment to outright celebration.

American flag

New Yorkers came to the Mets' stadium in Flushing on Friday night to support their team and demonstrate their legendary spirit.

We have to show that we are not afraid, that we love America and that we cannot hide

Henry Holden

"This is very important," said Henry Holden, who was decked out head-to-toe in a suit of the American flag.

"We have to show that we are not afraid, that we are patriotic, that we love America and that we cannot hide."

But despite calls from politicians and civic leaders for Americans to try and get back to normal, this was never going to be just another ball game.

Stars and stripes flags were handed out

Radio stations and newspapers carried warnings in the run-up to Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves that security would be tight.

Large bags, backpacks and cooler boxes would be banned.

Parking would be prohibited within 100 ft of the stadium and all bags were to be searched.

Terrorist targets

Such measures led to long queues outside as fans patiently waited to take their seats.

No-one seemed bothered that such an event would be considered a target for terrorists.

Many draped themselves in the national flag

"At this stage you could see everything as a target. But you can't worry about it. You just have to get on with life," said schoolteacher Barbra Klein, who was sporting a stars and stripes polo shirt.

But the police were taking no chances. Inside the ballpark, they maintained a heavy presence.